/PNA
MANILA – Six newly-commissioned Philippine Army (PA) reserve officers, including a lawmaker, were donned with new ranks in a ceremony that took place at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday.
In a statement Saturday, Army public affairs office chief, Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva, named the new reserve officers as Lt. Col. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs and energy; Lt. Col. Anthony Bravo, Coop-Natcco Party-list representative; Lt. Col. Roel A. Sacho, Policy Development and Planning Division Chief of the Department of Science and Technology; Lt. Col. Dindo Jose P. de Viterbo, Project Officer IV of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; Lt. Col. Joseph Ross S. Jocson, president of Allen Packaging System Corp.; Lt. Col. Ricardo J. Gamboa, vice president of the Development Academy of the Philippines; and Major Joseph B. Encaco, Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff.
Army chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, welcomed the newly-commissioned reserve officers who represented a cross-section of the society.
“As we sustain our momentum under the Army Transformation Roadmap, we enjoin our newly commissioned reserved officers to live up to the oath they have taken and the responsibility of the rank they now carry. I expect you to embolden our core values of honor, patriotism and duty,” Alberto said.
On behalf of the newly-commissioned officers, Gatchalian said being a part of the PA reserve force is one way of showing love of country.
“We can demonstrate our love for country by working abroad and sending money back home, do business to lift up our economy, and by working in the government to serve our people. In my case, it is by wearing the Army uniform itself, which is truly an honor and opportunity. This is worthy because it represents sacrifices and willingness to offer our life beyond the call of duty, for my family, country and people,” the senator said.
The donning of ranks in the military symbolizes the conferment of authority and responsibility of the commissioned officers.
This is in line with the priority thrust of the PA, which is to develop a capable reserve force as part of the Total Force Concept.
The Total Force Concept highlights the importance of developing, integrating and sustaining the country’s reserve force to complement the Army’s operational requirement in times of war and emergencies.
